U.S. vs Mexico

FirefightnRick · September 11, 2013

Anybody watching? The Mericans are up 1-nil on a fantastic header by Eddie Johnson.

Yes I know....... it's Soccer,..But this is how bad it gets around here when the Ranger's bats go this cold.

Go U.S.A.!

Rick

Edited September 11, 2013 by FirefightnRick

FirefightnRick · September 11, 2013

Now up 2-nil on a chip in by Landon Donovon.

Rick

Edited September 11, 2013 by FirefightnRick

FirefightnRick · September 11, 2013

Final 2-0. U.S. headed to Brazil.

Rick

THOR · September 11, 2013

It was a really good game...wonder if Dempsey muffed the final pk to preserve the dos a cero score line! World cup 2014!!!

Really wonder if Mexico will qualify...

KRAM1 · September 11, 2013

Still a little to go in the Houndrus game to be 100% IN, but it is all but done. Pretty much ad their way with a surprisingly poor Mexican squad through out WC qualifying. Puzzling about Mexico, but should they get in, they still might make a run.

USA really looked settled and composed all night. Showed the depth of the US side and Klinsman continued his mastery of he substitution call. Amazing...I wonder what all those folks calling for Klinsman to be fired sat ear are thinking now?

Sometimes you just have to give a coach time to build his team in the manner and style he feels best. Sure am apply USSoccer stood by Klinsman while he settled in and built his team and team style.

USA-USA-USA!!!!!!

Well done tonight guys...well done!

bleedgreen4ever · September 11, 2013

Anybody watching? The Mericans are up 1-nil on a fantastic header by Eddie Johnson.
Yes I know....... it's Soccer,..But this is how bad it gets around here when the Ranger's bats go this cold.
Go U.S.A.!
Rick

Just because you may find the sport not as entertaining or maybe boring, doesn't mean the rest of us do.

FirefightnRick · September 11, 2013

Just because you may find the sport not as entertaining or maybe boring, doesn't mean the rest of us do.

I was speaking in regards to myself and my household, not anything that included you or anyone else on this board. We.. as in my family and close friends and aquaintences don't watch soccer....at all. Yet we did tonight.

Rick

bleedgreen4ever · September 11, 2013

I was speaking in regards to myself and my household, not anything that included you or anyone else on this board. We.. as in my family and close friends and aquaintences don't watch soccer....at all. Yet we did tonight.
Rick

Ok, well hopefully it didn't bore so much and glad you supported the USMST tonight on a huge night.

Army of Dad · September 11, 2013

It was a really good game...wonder if Dempsey muffed the final pk to preserve the dos a cero score line! World cup 2014!!!
Really wonder if Mexico will qualify...

I wondered that about Dempsey too.

Mexico will qualify, though I think it will be as the winner of a home and home with New Zealand.

Censored by Laurie · September 11, 2013

Fantastic match...lovely to qualify against Mexico...and el Tri had better send a large fruit basket down to Panama for salvaging their chance at the top 3...if Honduras had won they'd have been five points clear and would needed to have just needed 2 points from their last two matchs...one against an already qualified Costa Rica and one against bottom of the table Jamaica.

Some observations.

1. It's amazing to me how much more complete a player Eddie Johnson has become as he's gotten older. Since his days at Fulham, his hold up play has improved significantly and he is now devastating in the air. He is going to be such the valuable player for JK in Brazil...I'd even give some consideration to starting him on the left.

2. I think a center-back rotation is set...Omar Gonzalez and Clarence Goodson had solid and confidence inspiring performances at the back...efficient with clearances and dominating in the air. Matt Besler has been shaky since his brilliant debut at Azteca, but if these three are the ones travelling to Brazil then I'm more then content

3. Full-back is a disaster. DeMarcus Beasley, despite JK's insistence that he is all but unchallenged for the starting LB spot, is just not a defender. Fabian Johnson was just as bad last night, but was playing desperately out of position and never seemed comfortable on the right. Brad Evans looked like he was developing into a solid RB, but his injury and the fact he doesn't play the position for his club have to be hurting his World Cup chances. Timmy Chandler's commitment has been suspect. Michael Parkhurst was solid in reserve of Johnson last night, but he gives you little pace and even less threat going forward, something JK wants from his FBs. Orozco was an abortion against Costa Rica. Castillo has made little impression on me that says he deserves to be a US international. I'm at a bit of a loss...Steve Cherundelo would walk right back into this side, if he could, you know, walk right now. I've read some suggestion that Seattle Sounder RB DeAndre Yedlin is deserving of a call-up, but I don't know much about him. Not sure what ever happened to Johnathon Spector. Bedoya played a right-sided wing back for his Ligue 1 club Nantes...not quite the same as RB and probably far too late in the game to consider him for a position switch.

My hope for the last two matches.

vs. Jamaica at home. - we roll out has strong a side as possible...Jozy up front...EJ and Donovan in wide positions...Dempsey in behind striker...Bradley (if fit) and Jones in the holding positions...Beasley (I guess), Gonzalez, Besler/Goodson, Evans (hopefully) across the back. I think these guys need a full match together against a pretty light side to hopefully build some confidence together. Plus, I think Sam's Army deserves a first team, quality display for the last home match of the Hex.

vs. Panama on the road - play more of a mixed squad...I'd like to see Aron Johansson, Mixx Diskerud, Alejandro Bedoya...maybe Joe Corona...get some significant run to see exactly what we have for bench possibilities going forward.

MeanGreenTexan · September 11, 2013

Fantastic match...lovely to qualify against Mexico...and el Tri had better send a large fruit basket down to Panama for salvaging their chance at the top 3...if Honduras had won they'd have been five points clear and would needed to have just needed 2 points from their last two matchs...one against an already qualified Costa Rica and one against bottom of the table Jamaica.

Some observations.
1. It's amazing to me how much more complete a player Eddie Johnson has become as he's gotten older. Since his days at Fulham, his hold up play has improved significantly and he is now devastating in the air. He is going to be such the valuable player for JK in Brazil...I'd even give some consideration to starting him on the left.
2. I think a center-back rotation is set...Omar Gonzalez and Clarence Goodson had solid and confidence inspiring performances at the back...efficient with clearances and dominating in the air. Matt Besler has been shaky since his brilliant debut at Azteca, but if these three are the ones travelling to Brazil then I'm more then content

3. Full-back is a disaster. DeMarcus Beasley, despite JK's insistence that he is all but unchallenged for the starting LB spot, is just not a defender. Fabian Johnson was just as bad last night, but was playing desperately out of position and never seemed comfortable on the right. Brad Evans looked like he was developing into a solid RB, but his injury and the fact he doesn't play the position for his club have to be hurting his World Cup chances. Timmy Chandler's commitment has been suspect. Michael Parkhurst was solid in reserve of Johnson last night, but he gives you little pace and even less threat going forward, something JK wants from his FBs. Orozco was an abortion against Costa Rica. Castillo has made little impression on me that says he deserves to be a US international. I'm at a bit of a loss...Steve Cherundelo would walk right back into this side, if he could, you know, walk right now. I've read some suggestion that Seattle Sounder RB DeAndre Yedlin is deserving of a call-up, but I don't know much about him. Not sure what ever happened to Johnathon Spector. Bedoya played a right-sided wing back for his Ligue 1 club Nantes...not quite the same as RB and probably far too late in the game to consider him for a position switch.

My hope for the last two matches.
vs. Jamaica at home. - we roll out has strong a side as possible...Jozy up front...EJ and Donovan in wide positions...Dempsey in behind striker...Bradley (if fit) and Jones in the holding positions...Beasley (I guess), Gonzalez, Besler/Goodson, Evans (hopefully) across the back. I think these guys need a full match together against a pretty light side to hopefully build some confidence together. Plus, I think Sam's Army deserves a first team, quality display for the last home match of the Hex.
vs. Panama on the road - play more of a mixed squad...I'd like to see Aron Johansson, Mixx Diskerud, Alejandro Bedoya...maybe Joe Corona...get some significant run to see exactly what we have for bench possibilities going forward.

Good thoughts. This was the first time I was able to watch a full match in quite a while.

The US spent the first 30 minutes or so trying to mount attacks from the right side with F. Johnson. It was not working at all. They abandoned that late in the 1st half and began sitting and waiting for counters (which I hate, but that's USA's style) and it worked well. I thought mounting an attack through Beasley was much more effective.

El Tri had the heat turned up early on, but once E Johnson's goal went in, they were completely deflated.

Chichirito touched the ball, what? 2 or 3 times? He is the most elite player on the field. He needs more touches.

Amazing how they went from olympic gold medalists (beating Brazil) to needing a playoff game to qualify for the WC in 1 YEAR!

THOR · September 11, 2013

I wondered that about Dempsey too.
Mexico will qualify, though I think it will be as the winner of a home and home with New Zealand.

not sure about that...they can't win on the road, nor score at home...kinda think the kiwis would beat them...

Censored by Laurie · September 11, 2013

Chichirito touched the ball, what? 2 or 3 times? He is the most elite player on the field. He needs more touches.
Amazing how they went from olympic gold medalists (beating Brazil) to needing a playoff game to qualify for the WC in 1 YEAR!

1. On Chichirito - he's a poacher...a fabulous poacher, but never-the-less he is not the kind of striker that will hold up play and that Mexico can "play through". His movement and finishing are world class, but he needs service and right now Mexico has become so predictable down the flanks and lack creativity in the middle that Hernandez can't get on the ball in threatening positions. I actually feel pretty sorry for him (and I'm an Arsenal fan/United hater). He really needs to be in a 4-4-2 with this personnel...he's a wasted talent when he's isolated up front like this.

2. On Olympics - different teams...Olympic rosters are comprised of mostly U-21s with I believe 3 slots reserved for senior players...most Olympic teams have a different coach and likely a different system. That said, that Olympic squad did still beat a strong Brazil team (Neymar, Oscar, Lucas Moura, Thiago Silva, Hulk) and the gold should've done more for their national team collectively.

I'm not confident they qualify for Brazil. That team looks hopelessly lost and do not respond at all to adversity. Panama will be impassioned when they make the trip to Azteca and they just showed their mettle in a hostile environment last night...their final match is a trip to Costa Rica...I think even a Costa Rica team with nothing to play for can hold this Mexican team. Unless there is a real coming to Jesus (hey-seuss?) moment for this side, I'll go ahead and go on record and say Mexico will finish 5th following 2 draws in their last 2 matches.

Army of Dad · September 12, 2013

Unless there is a real coming to Jesus (hey-seuss?) moment for this side, I'll go ahead and go on record and say Mexico will finish 5th following 2 draws in their last 2 matches.

That's a bold prediction. I would love to see it, but I just don't think they have fallen that far.

Army of Dad · September 12, 2013

not sure about that...they can't win on the road, nor score at home...kinda think the kiwis would beat them...

Given the way they have played its possible. I think they will pull their heads out of the toilet long enough to finish 4th and beat the kiwis. I'm not sure if New Zealand has ever had to play in a place like Azteca and the crowd will be in an absolute frenzy with a last gasp World Cup spot on the line.